1971 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Sculptor John Flanagan created the original Washington quarter version minted from 1932 to 1998. Initially, this coin was made of 90% silver, but the US Mint changed its composition in 1965. As a result, these coins consist of 91.67% copper with added nickel from that year.

As expected, clad coins are less expensive than those made of precious metal. Therefore, you can expect the 1971 quarter value to be relatively modest, despite their age. However, a few unique pieces were sold for amazing prices at auctions. Let’s take a look.

1971 Washington quarter value
Condition	1971 No mint mark quarter	1971 D quarter	1971 S quarter
MS 65	$6.81	$6.81	/
PR 65	/	/	$5.84

History of the 1971 Washington Quarter

Sculptor John Flanagan created the original Washington quarter version. The idea was to commemorate President’s two-hundredth birthday anniversary in this elegant way.

The US Mint kept issuing these coins from 1932 to 1998. Initially, they contained 90% silver, but that was changed in 1965 when the new cupronickel pieces became a part of everyday Americans’ lives.

Interestingly, coins made of this clad-copper composition had three layers visible along the edge. Therefore, they got the nickname Johnson Sandwich, honoring President Lyndon Johnson, who signed the Coinage Act of 1965 into law.

The regular Washington series have included:

• Washington silver quarter, minted from 1932 to 1964
• Washington clad quarter, minted from 1965 to 1998
• 50 State quarters, minted from 1999 to 2008
• America the Beautiful quarters, minted from 2010 to 2021
• Washington Crossing Delaware, minted in 2021

Besides, you can find commemorative US Bicentennial Washington quarters minted with the double date 1776 – 1976. Their purpose was to honor the Declaration of Independence’s 200th anniversary.

1971 Washington quarter Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1971 No Mint mark quarter	109,284,000
San Francisco	1971 S quarter (proof)	3,220,733
Denver	1971 D quarter	258,634,428
Total	/	371,139,161

The established Bicentennial Committee Congress held a competition to choose the best possible artist to design the new quarter. The requirement was to base their work on the well-known Washington sculpture made by Jean-Antoine Houdon.

On the other hand, each artist could create the reverse design at their own discretion. Laura Gardin Fraser offered the best idea, but then-Treasury Secretary Mellon objected to this decision.

Many believed the reason was the designer’s gender, but no official confirmation of these rumors existed. Despite Commission members’ objections, Mellon insisted on John Flanagan’s work, and even his successor in office didn’t want to right a wrong. So, Flanagan’s solution stayed, leaving many questions unanswered.

Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money

Features of the 1971 Washington Quarter

The 1971 Washington quarter is a standard circulation coin minted from 1932 to 1998, but the US Mint changed its composition in 1965. Therefore, the modern coin struck in 1971 is cupronickel clad with a copper core.

The obverse of the 1971 Washington quarter

The 1971 Washington quarter obverse depicts a left profile of the first President of the United States. The simple John Flanagan design includes the lettering LIBERTY on the top and the minting year on the bottom coin rim.

On the left side is written IN GOD WE TRUST, as a required motto for all American coinage. Finally, the mint mark S or D is behind the bow that ties Washington’s hair.

The reverse of the 1971 Washington quarter

Unlike the clear and simple obverse, the 1971 Washington quarter reverse design is pretty cluttered and complicated. You can see a centrally positioned wings-spread eagle standing on arrows tied in a bundle.

Between the eagle and QUARTER DOLLAR denomination engraved on the bottom are two tied olive branches. The top coin part is reserved for the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM, which are struck in three lines.

1971 Washington quarter Details
Face value	Twenty-five cents ($0.25)
Coin diameter	0.957 inches (24.3 mm)
Compound	Cupronickel-clad coat with a copper core (total of 91.67% copper with additional nickel)
Coin thickness	0.069 inches (1.75 mm)
Coin weight	0.200 ounces (5.67 g)
Edge	Reeded with 119 reeds
Shape	Round

Other features of the 1971 Washington quarter

Washington quarters minted in 1971 are round twenty-five cent coins weighing 0.200 ounces (5.67 g) with 119 reeds along the edge. These over half-a-century-old pieces are made of a cupronickel-clad coat with a core containing pure copper. The coin diameter is 0.957 inches (24.3 mm), while its thickness is precisely 0.069 inches (1.75 mm).

1971 Washington Quarter Grading

Despite the virtually insignificant price, most collectors ignore low-quality and heavily circulated Washington quarters because of their poor looks. Even those in the mint state are affordable, making them highly collectible.

Only the impeccable, highest-graded MS 68 pieces are expensive and achievable only to the most dedicated collectors with an unlimited budget.

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Washington Quarter?

1971 Washington Quarter Value Guides

While mints in Denver and Philadelphia produced 1971 Washington quarters from regular strikes, the one in San Francisco released only proofs. The total mintage this year was 371,139,161 of these coins.

1971 No Mint mark Washington quarter value

Interestingly, Philadelphia produced half as many coins as the Denver mint in 1971, 109,284,000 pieces without the mint mark. Most quarters with this date on the obverse are affordable, and you can buy one in circulated condition for its face value of 25 cents.

Pieces in the mint state are barely more expensive, and you can find most at a price of:

• 1971 MS 60 quarter is worth $1.50
• 1971 MS 61 quarter is worth $2.50
• 1971 MS 62 quarter is worth $3.50
• 1971 MS 63 quarter is worth $5
• 1971 MS 64 quarter is worth $7.50
• 1971 MS 65 quarter is worth $10
• 1971 MS 66 quarter is worth $50

However, not all 1971 Washington quarters are cheap. On the contrary, a few pieces in perfect condition are pricey. For instance, an average coin in MS 67 grade typically costs $1,250.

The situation is even better with several pieces offered at auctions. For instance, the most expensive in the set is the 1971 MS 67 quarter, after it sold at $3,840 in 2019.

1971 D Washington quarter value

The Denver mint had a record mintage in 1971 after producing 258,634,428 Washington quarters. Such a high number makes them affordable, and most are worth only $0.25. You can get more money only for uncirculated pieces, such as:

• 1971 MS 60 quarter is worth $1.50
• 1971 MS 61 quarter is worth $2.50
• 1971 MS 62 quarter is worth $3.50
• 1971 MS 63 quarter is worth $5
• 1971 MS 64 quarter is worth $7.50
• 1971 MS 65 quarter is worth $10
• 1971 MS 66 quarter is worth $20
• 1971 MS 67 quarter is worth $65

On the other hand, scarce quarters with the MS 68 grade typically come with a price range of $3,750 to $4,500. The most expensive coin with the D mint mark is the one purchased at an auction in 2019 for $4,560.

1971 S proof Washington quarter value

The mint in San Francisco minted only proof quarters in 1971, with a total mintage of 3,220,733 coins. You can recognize three types differentiating for preservation levels and look. Regular proofs cost $7 to $10, but the most expensive piece in PR 70 grade was paid $4,000 in 2023.

Coins with cameo contrast are a bit more expensive and typically cost $10 to $30, depending on the condition. The record achieved a price for one of these quarters at an auction is $242. One collector bought it in 2003 primarily because impeccable appearance and PR 69 rating.

Finally, the 1971 DCAM quarter often costs $95 to $200, but those with the PR 69 are estimated to be $2,550. Despite this high assessment, one such coin reached much more at an auction. One collector set aside $7,475 in 2007 to get this almost perfect coin.

Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

Rare 1971 Washington Quarter Error List

Collectors like errors because of their uniqueness, making such coins collectible and more valuable than regular pieces. The most famous 1971 Washington quarter errors include:

Off-center

The 1971 off-center quarter error coins cost approximately $25 to $200, depending on the missing design percentage. For instance, pieces with barely visible 3% to 5% off-center design are worth slightly more than face value.

The price increases with the error severity and is $25 to $50 for quarters with 10% to 20% of the missing design. The most collectible are specimens with about 50% off-center, and collectors often pay $200 even more for such pieces. The only condition is that the date is visible.

Double die

Double die errors occur on the coin obverse or reverse when the die moves a bit between two strikes on the surface. Such coins typically cost $10 to $100, but the 1971 MS 65 DDR quarter won the record price of $8,813 in 2017.

Interestingly, even circulated coins with this imperfection can be pricey. For instance, the 1971 D XF 40 DDR Washington quarter was paid $1,280 at an auction in 2023.

No ridges on edge (broad strike)

When seeing a quarter with smooth or the edge without ridges, you can be sure that it is a piece with the mint error that typically costs $25 to $50+. However, it is crucial to have it estimated since heavily worn-out coins can look the same.

The best way to be sure it is a coin with a broad strike error is to measure its diameter and thickness. While worn quarters have regular measures, errors come with wider diameters and are always thinner because they are struck out of the retaining collar.

Be prepared that some broad strike error quarters can be expensive. Those in impeccable condition can be worth up to $400.

Clipped planchet error

This kind of error happens when the die accidentally cuts off a part of the quarter’s edge. Such pieces produced in 1971 are highly collectible and typically cost $10 to $100. Be careful because most allegedly clipped planchet error coins are fake. Always look for sure signs that you have a real thing, including:

• Blakesley effect (a weak or missing rim of the edge opposite the clip)
• Smeared or stretched-out design along the clip
• Faded and tapered coin rim
• A breakaway line along the exposed coin edge with one smooth and another rough half

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money

Where to Sell Your 1971 Washington Quarter ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

FAQ about the 1971 Washington Quarter Value

What makes a 1971 quarter scarce?

Since these coins are over 50 years old, all in top-notch condition are considered rare and highly valuable. Besides, some errors can be scarce, collectible, and expensive.

Which 1971 Washington quarters are particularly expensive?

• The 1971 MS 65 DDR Washington quarter won an auction record of $8,813 in 2017
• The 1971 S PR 69, DCAM Washington quarter won an auction record of $7,475 in 2007
• The 1971 D MS 68 Washington quarter won an auction record of $4,560 in 2019
• The 1971 S PR 70 Washington quarter won an auction record of $4,000 in 2023
• The 1971 MS 67 Washington quarter won an auction record of $3,840 in 2019
• The 1971 D XF 40 DDR Washington quarter won an auction record of $1,280 in 2023
• The 1971 S PR 69 CAM Washington quarter won an auction record of $242 in 2003

Is 1971 No Mint mark Washington quarter expensive?

Most 1971 Washington quarters produced in Philadelphia are worth their face value of $25. Only pieces in the mint state cost more, approximately $1 to  $108, depending on the condition. On the other hand, those in MS 67 grade are valuable and cost $2,500 to $3,000 on average.

What are the most valuable Washington quarters?

• 1932 D MS 66 silver Washington quarter – $143,750
• 1932 S MS 66 silver Washington quarter – $45,500
• 1949 D MS 68 silver Washington quarter – $43,475
• 1948 MS 68+ silver Washington quarter – $43,200
• 1932 MS 67 silver Washington quarter – $40,250
• 1950 PR 68 DCAM silver Washington quarter – $31,200
• 1966 MS 68+ clad Washington quarter – 21,000